Adjustable chair leg extension



Feb. 8, 1938. c. H. DALLAS ADJUSTABLE CHAIR LEG EXTENSION Filed Jan. 12,1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR: Emszfanm ifipirins Dallas,

WITNESSES:

ADJUSTABLE CHAIR LEG EXTENSION Filed Jan. 12, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG:Y.

W I TNESSES 1 N VEN TOR W a W Cansifanaz ifipirms Dallas Patented Feb.8, 1938 -UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

My invention relates generally to adjustable attachments for use onvarious articles of furniture and more particularly to adjustableextensions for chair legs.

-The use of the conventional high chair is attended with certaindisadvantages. A high chair at table with the family is awkward. Itgenerally does not match other articles of furniture; it does not lenditself to being drawn closely to lo the table; and it usuallynecessitates the inconvenience of a tray. Moreover, there areintermediate stages where children are too large for the average highchair yet not tall enough for chairs used by adults; and the customarypractice of using cushions, books or other articles on the seat of achair for elevating the occupant to the desired height often results indiscomfort. Such a makeshift arrangement is not conducive to goodmanners or posture and is a distinct handicap to the child receiving hisfirst lessons on behavior at table.

The principal object of my invention is to overcome the abovedifficulties by providing an adjustable chair leg extension which issimple in structure and operation and may be easily applied, removed, oradjusted, as occasion demands, with respect to any of the usual diningroom or straight chairs found in the home. I am aware that otheradjustable chair leg extensions are suggested in the prior art, buttheir intricacy and lack of capacity for easy application tothe averagechair make them unsuitable for general use in the home. Furthermore, thedevices heretofore suggested or employed are either unstable or soelaborate and expensive to manufacture as to be impracticable, whereasthe device of this invention is characterized by extreme simplicity andeconomy of manufacture and at the same time possesses adequateruggedness and durability, and when removed leaves the chair in itsoriginal useful condition.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become more apparentfrom the following detailed description of one example of the inventionand a modification thereof, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings. Of the drawings:

Fig. I represents a perspective view of a conventional chair withattachments embodying my invention applied thereto.

Fig. II represents an enlarged side elevation of one chair leg,partially in section, showing details of one such attachment.

Fig. III represents a further enlarged perspective view of the extensionmember of the attachment, showing also the felt protector associatedtherewith.

Fig. IV represents a cross section, taken as indicated by the linesIV-IV of Fig. III.

Fig. V represents a side view of the foot portion of the extensionmember.

Fig. VI represents a perspective view of the holding element which isattached to the chair leg end, showing the spur which sinks into thechair leg. 10

Fig. VII represents a cross section, taken as indicated by the linesVII-VII of Fig. II; and,

Fig, VIII represents a cross section similar to that of Fig. VII, butshowing a modified form of clamping means comprising a rolled metalstrip 15 instead of the collars shown in Figs. I and II.

With particular reference to Figs. I and II of the drawings, there isshown a conventional chair I having legs 2, to each of which is appliedan adjustable attachment of my invention. Each 20 such attachmentcomprises generally an extension member 3, a holding element 4 securedto the end of the chair leg 2, and clamping means in the form of collars5. There is desirably interposed between the extension member 3 and the25 chair leg 2, and between the collars 5 and the chair leg 2, aprotective cushion of felt or like material as indicated at 6.

The extension member 3 is shown most clearly in Fig. III. It comprisesin its preferred form a 30 bar of metal having vertically spaced slots 1therein, the bar being curved transversely throughout its length toconform to the curvature of an ordinary chair leg. At its lower end, theextension member 3 has a rounded foot 8, 5 an enlarged view of which isshown in Fig. V. The curvature of the foot 8 is of particular advantagewhere the chair legs are inclined at an angle to the vertical, in whichcase it affords a substantial surface contact with the floor. At its 40upper end the extension member 3 has grooves 9 in the outer surfacewhich are designed to ac commodate the collars 5 with a snug fit.

The felt protector 6 comprises a strip generally conforming to the shapeof the extension mem- 45 her 3 and having holes I!) therein whichregister with the holes '3 of the extension member, and it includesadditionally a split cylindrical portion I2 which surrounds the chairleg 2 within the collars 5. In an obvious manner the use of such 50 'aprotector permits the attachment to be applied and removed or used overa long period of time, all without injury to the chair.

The holding element 4, as shown most clearly in Figs. II and VI,comprises generally a disc por- 55 ance, particularly in view of thefact that the that the attachments of my invention may be tion l3 and ahook portion l4. Within the disc portion l3 there is a countersunkaperture l5 through which a screw I6 is inserted for securing theholding element to the end of the chair leg 2. Additionally the discportion I3 is provided with an upstanding spur II which sinks into theend of the chair leg and prevents the holding element from turning aboutthe leg end. The hook portion l4 projects upwardly and laterally and isadapted to engage selectively any one of the holes I in the extensionmember 3, the engagement being such as to hold the extension memberfirmly against the bottom end of the chair leg 2.

The collars 5 are shown most clearly in Figs. II and VII. Each collar 5is constructed of relatively resilient material and has flanged ends l8secured together. by means of a screw l9 andnut 20. The collars 5 may beadapted to fit chair legs of various shapes and sizes. Inasmuch as theyfit Within the grooves 9 of the extension member 3, the collars 5 areheld against displacement and prevented from sliding with respect to thechair leg 2.

In Fig. VIII of the drawings, there is shown a ,modification of theinvention in which rolled metal bands 5a are employed in lieu of thecollars 5. Each such band comprises a continuous strip with one end 5?)bent around the extension member 3 at one of the slots 1. The strip isthen passed around the chair leg 2 exteriorly of the cylindrical portionl2 of the felt protector. Desirably the stripis passed twice aroundjtheleg in the manner clearly illustrated in the drawings, with the free end50 ultimately drawn taut ,and rolled and swaged into the slot opening'1.

Such an arrangement firmly clamps the extension member 3, it can be usedon chair legsoi different crosssectional shapes. clamping means presentsa very neat appearrolled end 50 may be housed within the 'slot 7 in suchmanner that there are no unsightly projections.

From the above description it will be apparent readily applied to andremoved from the legs of diiferent kinds of chairs. Moreover, onespecial advantage is that the holding element 4 may be permanentlyapplied to the leg ends of a chair,

and when it is desired to elevate the chair, the extension members 3 andclamping means 5 or,

50, may be quickly attached. In this connection it will be noted thatthe hook portion M oi the. holding element 4 is so constructed that itextends clear of the floor when the disc portion I3 rests on the floor.

Although the constituent elements comprising the adjustable attachmentsof this invention are extremely simple and may be produced at a lowmanufacturing cost, the attachments are nevertheless very efficient inoperation and possess adequate stability. One important factor inproducing such stability is that the extension members 3 are held firmlyagainst the side of the chair leg both at the upper portion where theclamping types of adjustable clamping means, it will bev apparent thatnumerous changes or modifications may be made in the form of theattachments and the various parts thereof; and that. the in and it hasthe advantage that- Also, this form of adjustable,

vention may be applied to other articles of furniture in addition tochairs, all without departing from the spirit of the invention asdefined in the annexed claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. In combination with aleg for a chair or the like, an extension member having verticallyspaced slots formed therein, and adapted to be selectively engaged, aholding element having a down-turned hook and attached to the leg end,said hook engaging said extension member through one of said slots andholding it against said leg, and adjustable clamping means securing theupper portion of said extension member against said leg. I

2. The invention of claim 1 characterized by the further fact that thereis a protecting cushion between said leg and said extension member andbetween said leg and said clamping means.

3. In combination with a leg fora chair or the like, a transverselycurved extension member having vertically spaced slots formed thereinand a rounded foot formed on the end thereof, a protecting cushionattached to the inner side of said.

extension member and engagingsaid leg. said protecting cushion beingformed substantially to encircle said leg atfthe top of the extension,member and having openings formed; therein to; correspond with saidslots, clam'ping means se curing the upper portion of said extensionmember to the legand being separated from the leg by said upper part ofsaid protecting, cushion, and holding means'screwed, to the leg end saidholding means having a spur to engage said; leg

end and consisting, of a disc portion fitting over the leg end and 'ahook portion, said hook por tion extending upwardly whereby it is clear.of'

the floor when said disc portion rests on the floor.

4. In combination with a leg for a chair or the like, an extensionmember, havingv vertically spaced slots formed therein, and adapted tobe selectively engaged, said extension member having a rounded foot andbeing curvedtransversely,

to'fit against said leg, a holding element attached to the leg end andengaging said extension member through one of said slots and holding itagainst said leg, and adjustable clamping means,

securing the upper portion of. said extension member against said leg.

5. In combination with aleg fora ehairor the,

like, an extension member having vertically spaced slots formed-therein,and adapted to be selectively engaged, a holding element attached,

to the leg end and engaging said extension member through one of saidslots and holding it against said leg, said holding element having aspur which is sunk into the legend to keep said holding element fromturning about the legend, and adjustable clamping means securing theupper portion of said extension member against said leg.

against said leg, said holding element including a flat disc for fittingon the leg end, and an 8H9.

gaging hook extendingup. from .said flatdisc, whereby the normal useofthe'leg is not impaired when the extension member is removed, and ad-.justable clamping means securing theupper portion of said extension.memberagainst said leg r 7. In combination with a leg for a chair or thelike, an extension member having vertically spaced slots formed therein,and adapted to be selectively engaged, a holding element attached to theleg end and engaging said extension member through one of said slots andholding it against said leg, and adjustable clamping means securing theupper portion of said extension member against said leg, said clampingmeans consisting of a metallic tape wrapped around the leg and throughone of said engagement slots and a rolled end swaged into the slotopening provided by the thickness of the extension mem- 5 her.

CONSTANCE HOPKINS DALLAS.

